ESWI launches the fourth edition of its Influenza Award for Young Scientists. The most promising body of work in flu research will be awarded a prize of €10,000 and an invitation to lecture at the Sixth ESWI Influenza Conference (Riga, 10-13 September 2017). The competition is open to all young scientists worldwide. Eligibility criteria are listed in this flyer. The Application Form is available here.
A global influenza meeting was held in Chicago on 24 August 2016, with representation from the three different Summits – the ESWI Science Policy Flu Summit, the APACI Flu Summit, and the US National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit. The discussion, however, progressed into broader issues of mutual interest that could ultimately improve the control of influenza at the global level. Topics included the notion of harmonising global influenza recommendations (such as they relate to displaced populations, long sporting events, or Haj), improving surveillance, and establishing a Global Repository of Best Practices. It was agreed that there was enormous potential in pursing these objectives, and work will continue behind the scenes to keep the agenda moving.
ESWI has issued a press release to highlight the fact that flu prevention deserves more attention in travel medicine. This press statement is released at the occasion of Dr. Marco Goeijenbier’s lecture at the Science Policy Flu Summit, to be held at the International Press Centre in Brussels on 28 September 2016. Download the press release here.
ESWI and its partner organization ISTM (International Society of Travel Medicine) are about to publish a review paper on influenza vaccination of travellers. The paper has been submitted for publication in the Journal of Travel Medicine. In the mean time, ISTM member Robert Steffen has published a Lancet paper that elaborates on the benefits of influenza vaccination for participants of mass gatherings. Read his article here
A group of European experts, including ESWI member Ted van Essen, has now published an overview of key facts about influenza vaccination for general practitioners. The aim of their effort is to harmonise the diagnosis of seasonal influenza and the approach of European general practitioners to seasonal influenza vaccination in order to move towards reaching the target vaccination rate of 75% throughout Europe.
Interestingly, the paper is also published in a Word document so that European Countries (and any other country in the world) can easily re-use, translate or adapt the Key Facts and thus modify the document to their requirements.
ESWI is now part of the business platform LinkedIn. Follow the latest influenza related news and ESWI’s business updates by clicking the Follow button on ESWI’s LinkedIn page.
FLUNIVAC aims to pave the way to the development of a universal influenza vaccine. ESWI is FLUNIVAC’s communication partner and has now prepared a brand new version of the FLUNIVAC newsletter, highlighting the project’s recent advances. The newsletter is available here. Feel free to disseminate the document to anyone you think might be interested.
ESWI is delighted to announce that the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) has joined the Influenza Coalition, ESWI’s cooperative partnership with organizations of healthcare professionals, the elderly and at-risk patients. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with EFNNMA as we are convinced that nurses and midwives play a crucial role in protecting patients and pregnant women against the burden of influenza. After all, they are perfectly placed to provide tailored information based on the latest scientific evidence.
The fifth edition of the Science Policy Flu Summit will be held on 28 September 2016 at the International Press Centre in the heart of European Quarter in Brussels.
Building on ESWI’s rich history of working with partner organizations, this year’s Summit will showcase successful collaborations in different fields such as travel medicine, the protection of diabetes patients and asthma patients, and the role of healthcare professionals in flu prevention. Check the preliminary summit programme here.
2016 is already well under way and the ESWI board members are heavily engaged in some exciting ESWI activities. Yet it’s always good to look back and reflect on past achievements. ESWI has summarized its main achievements in a separate brochure: the 2015 ESWI activity report. Check the document to see how we expanded the ESWI Board of Directors with four new promising influenza scientists and how we continue to forge a coalition of the most influential influenza stakeholders in Europe.